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Basic Research in Industry: Two Case Studies at I.G. Farbenindustrie Ag in the 1920’s and 1930’s

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Determinants in the Evolution of the European Chemical Industry, 1900–1939

Part of the book series: Chemists and Chemistry ((CACH,volume 16))

Abstract

Historian of technology Wolfgang König has recently defined the often misinterpreted term “science-based industry.” König introduced four characteristics for the evaluation of the scientific foundation of an industry:1

  1. 1.

    Transfer of knowledge by university graduates entering positions in industry;

  2. 2.

    Direct transfer of research results from university to industry;

  3. 3.

    Fundamental scientific discoveries that later become technological developments in industry; and

  4. 4.

    Technological developments that originated in research performed in industrial research departments.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Philosophie Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, Universität Regensburg, 93040, Regensburg, Germany

    Carsten Reinhardt

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  1. Carsten Reinhardt
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sidney M. Edelstein Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel

    Anthony S. Travis

  2. University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    Harm G. Schröter

  3. Rijksuniversiteit Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Ernst Homburg

  4. Science Museum, London, UK

    Peter J. T. Morris

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Reinhardt, C. (1998). Basic Research in Industry: Two Case Studies at I.G. Farbenindustrie Ag in the 1920’s and 1930’s. In: Travis, A.S., Schröter, H.G., Homburg, E., Morris, P.J.T. (eds) Determinants in the Evolution of the European Chemical Industry, 1900–1939. Chemists and Chemistry, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1233-0_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1233-0_4

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